How Athens evaluates the results of the Summit of Southeast Europe

By Dimitris Gatsios

With Athens constantly adding new measures to the marathon of internationalization of the Turkish challenges, the Summit of Southeast Europe, held in Thessaloniki, was another opportunity for the Prime Minister to inform the leaders of our region about the new lionesses of Recep Tayyip Erdogan. and top officials of the neighbor. At the same time, the presence of the leaders in our country came to confirm the enhanced role of Athens in the Balkans and Eastern Europe, at a time when the government is focusing its strategy on further strengthening the geostrategic, energy and economic footprint of Greece.

With a view to Greek-Turkish, strong support for the positions of our country was the presence of the President of the European Council, Charles Michel and the Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Solz, in Thessaloniki. At the leaders’ dinner, which followed the work of the Summit, Mr. Mitsotakis had his second meeting with Mr. Solz in two weeks, after the fourth in Brussels, which brought the resounding message from Berlin to Ankara. to stop the challenges towards Greece… Anyway, after the end of the Summit, the Greek capital turns its attention to the next milestones of June. The European Council of “27” leaders and the NATO Summit in Madrid, which will be another opportunity for our country to stigmatize the revision of Turkey.

At the Southeastern Europe Summit itself, the Prime Minister chose, with his positions, to send a signal for the accession perspective of the Western Balkans.

“It is time to take more decisive steps towards the integration of the Western Balkans into the European family. Recognizing, of course, that important steps must be taken to harmonize them with European standards. Only then, after all, will their integration be substantial. The practical commitment of the European leadership and the Member States is needed to speed up the relevant processes, which is why in an article I published today on the Politico website I propose 2033 as a time mark for the accession of all “It’s an ambitious goal for the Western Balkans, but I think it can also be realistic if the idea of ​​enlargement returns to the core values ​​of the Union,” he said.

The valuation of Athens

As government officials point out, the Summit highlighted the leading role of Greece as a factor of stability, peace and security in the wider region, but also as a co-shaper of discussions on the future of the region at a critical geopolitical juncture.

It is indicative that almost all the participants in the Process were represented at the Summit at the highest level, head of state or government, under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister. The conference was attended by European Council President Charles Michel, sending a clear message of interest to the EU leadership. for the works in Thessaloniki, while the dinner was attended by the Chancellor of Germany Olaf Solz – both at the invitation of Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

At the same time, the Joint Declaration of the Summit reflects the common priorities of the countries of Southeastern Europe that are in line with the aspirations of Greek foreign policy.

Central to the issue was the resumption of the accession process in the Western Balkans, with the prime minister backing an ambitious but achievable timetable for the accession of all countries by 2033.

The Thessaloniki Summit took place two weeks before the EU – Western Balkans Summit on 23 June in Brussels, following an accession process that has lasted for many years, raising doubts in the eyes of the citizens of these countries about the commitment of the European Union in the vision for their integration into the European family.

The declaration also contains clear references to the importance of South East Europe for the EU’s energy supply, at a time marked by a radical overhaul of the sources and routes to meet the needs of the Old Continent.

“We note that the Southern Gas Corridor, reserves and sustainable transport routes of the Eastern Mediterranean and the Black Sea are a solution to the energy needs of Southeastern Europe, together with LNG from various international providers,” the text reads. that Greece and other Balkan countries invest in the development of infrastructure for the reception, storage and transport of gas cargo.

A common goal is also to protect citizens, especially the most vulnerable, from the effects of the global energy crisis.

It is noted, finally, that the decisions of the Summit were taken unanimously, on the basis of the values ​​of democracy, the rule of law and solidarity, while all parties reaffirmed their commitment to the “European values ​​underpinning the rule of international law, based on rules of international order and good neighborly relations “.